Nahal Yattir, Yattir Interchange

Daniel Varga

07/07/2014

Final Report

In July 2013, an excavation was conducted at Yattir Interchange (Permit No. A-6865; map ref. 194216–391/575967–6269; Fig. 1), prior to the widening of Highway 31. The excavation, undertaken on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority and financed by the Israel National Roads Company, Ltd., was directed by D. Varga (photography), with the assistance of Y. Al-‘Amor (administration) and M. Kunin and A. Hajian (surveying and drafting).

Three excavation areas (A–C; Fig. 2) were opened on both sides of Highway 31, yielding meager building remains and pottery sherds dating mainly to the Byzantine period. The remains that were uncovered were presumably part of the agricultural hinterland of the Byzantine period settlement located at Horbat Hur, c. 700 m northwest of the site. In the survey of the Map of Nahal Yattir, remains of a buildings were documented slightly north of Area A, and sherds dating to the Byzantine period were collected (Govrin 2002: Site 103).

Area A (Fig. 3). The surface level was composed of non-indigenous soil and various-sized stones. Below it, covered the bedrock (L2–L6), was a layer of fill (average thickness 0.6 m), which consisted of soil and a few pottery sherds from the Byzantine period. A terrace wall (W1; preserved length c. 6.5 m; Fig. 4), built of large flint stones and preserved to a height of one course, was documented on the surface, to the southwest of the excavation square.

Area B (Fig. 5). A corner of a small building that was mostly destroyed (L15) was exposed in the eastern part of the area. The walls of the structure (W2, W3; preserved length 1.7–1.9 m; Fig. 6) were built of flint stones; collapsed stones were scattered alongside the walls. A scant amount of pottery sherds from the Byzantine period and two sherds from the Iron Age were exposed in the excavation squares.

Area C (Figs. 7, 8). A surface (4 × 20 m) built of river pebbles and various-sized flint stones was uncovered that might represent a section of an ancient road which was destroyed through time (Fig. 8).